[AliMac]

Hi all,
I have a red bellied parrot (poicephalus) that is only about 9 months old. Within the last couple weeks, whenever I let her out of her cage she does this head bobbing thing and regurgitates some food for me. My conures do this to each other and I know it can be an "I'm in love with you" kind of thing, though she seems kind of young to be in love
These birds are known to be one-person birds and can get very jealous with their chosen person. What I want to know is, how to I get her to stop? I don't draw attention to it or encourage it in any way that I know of. Anyone dealt with this before? What did you do about it?

 

[OOwl]

Yep, my African Grey does this all the time this time of year. It's gross. LOL They do it because they see you as their "partner." I've read you shouldn't pet them anywhere but the top of their head, no petting on the back or wings. It also helps to make sure they get less sunlight per day (e.g., cover the cage and give them 10-12 hours of sleep at night, confuses the brain on the "breeding season," I think). You also have to ignore the behavior. What I do is tell my bird, "Thanks but I've had dinner; back to your cage now to cool off," in a matter-of-fact way. He's SLOWLY getting that I am his friend forever but not his mate. Good luck!

 

[madhen]

Awww, parrot love.

Keep in mind that parrots are very social birds, bonded to their mates, so unless you are hoping to breed her some day, there is no harm in letting her show her love for you. My male African Grey does it to me, and a hen would certainly be getting ready for mating season right now, so her hormones are probably running high. Typically, they get over it on their own (until next spring). She may even lay an egg for you.

If you really don't want her concentrating on matters of love, you might try distracting her with new foraging toys (NO LARGE BOXES!! ) and by taking her places away from her cage, like visiting friends in her carrier. It is great socialization for the bird, and it helps them to not get fixated on the one person in their life. Also, if she has a Happy Hut or other little "nesty" type thing in her cage, remove that.

 

[AliMac]

Thanks guys She doesn't have a Happy Hut anymore because she got pretty territorial about it. I guess that while I will continue not to draw attention to it, I will bask in the knowledge that I'm loved

On a side note, do you guys make any of your own bird toys?

 

[madhen]

I make my own. The store bought ones are TOO expensive.

 

[OOwl]

I make most of my own, too. I buy untreated 1"x2"x8' pine boards and we cut them into slices, drill them and load them up on stainless chain with a block or large wood or plastic bead between the slices. I have one parrot (a rosebreasted cockatoo) that can go through a toy a DAY! Yes, a toy a DAY! I don't even bother dyeing the wood colors like they sell in the store. He is WOODCHIPPER! He chips up those wood toys like he's getting PAID to do it! I also buy parts (favorite of my Grey are the plastic hollow toys like circus/safari animals, dinos, and boats) and the biridie bagels. And I incorporate those into the wood toys with poly strings or leather strips. They're cheapest on Ebay.

Their favorite toys are empty cereal and soda boxes that I drop some nuts and seeds in and tape shut. They have a BLAST tearing those up to get to their treats. Almost FREE toys. Every Christmas and Birthday they get new, fancy store-bought toys but the hand-made ones sure help with the budget (I used to spend WAY too much on the pets' toys!).